Photographs of skink (scinicdae) species Cyclodina alani Robust skink whole animal. New Zealand endemic. Cyclodina alani Robust skink three quarters. New Zealand endemic. Cyclodina alani Robust skink head shot. New Zealand endemic. Cyclodina alani Robust skink whole animal 2. New Zealand endemic. Cyclodina alani Robust skink whole animal 3. New Zealand endemic. Cyclodina alani Robust skink lateral whole animal. New Zealand endemic. Cyclodina macgregori MacGregor's skink REP 9243 Cyclodina macgregori MacGregor's skink, New Zealand endemic (captive). Now restricted to North Island offshore islands. REP 9237 Cyclodina macgregori MacGregor's skink, New Zealand endemic (captive). Emoia campbelli Campbell's skink Emoia campbelli, Campbell's skink, Fijian montane endemic, Monasavu, Viti Levu.

Emoia campbelli, Campbell's skink, Fijian montane endemic, Monasavu, Viti Levu. Emoia concolor Green tree skink Emoia concolor Matana Resort, Kadavu, Fiji. REP 3343 Emoia concolor, Matana Resort, Kadavu, Fiji. REP 8296 Emoia concolor, Green tree skink head shot. Emoia cyanura Brown-tailed copper-striped skink Emoia cyanura Brown-tailed copper-striped skink, Fiji. REP 0171 Emoia cyanura Brown-tailed copper-striped skink, Nadi, Fiji. Emoia impar Blue-tailed copper-striped skink REP 0923 Emoia impar Blue-tailed copper-striped skink, Kadavu, Fiji REP 2108 Emoia impar Blue-tailed copper-striped skinks, Namena, Fiji. REP 2070 Emoia impar Blue-tailed copper-striped skink, Namena, Fiji. Emoia nigra Pacific black skink Emoia nigra Pacific black skink, Viti Levu, Fiji.

Emoia parkeri Fijian copper-headed skink REP 1146 Emoia parkeri Fijian copper-headed skink, endemic, Central Viti Levu. REP 1145 Emoia parkeri Fijian copper-headed skink, endemic, Central Viti Levu. REP 1148 Emoia parkeri Fijian copper-headed skink underside, endemic, Central Viti Levu. Emoia parkeri? Fijian copper-headed skink, head shot, Fijian endemic Emoia trossula Barred tree skink Emoia trossula, barred tree skink, Fiji. Lamprolepis smaragdina Solomon's green tree skink Lamprolepis smaragdina Solomon's green tree skink. Lipinia noctua Moth skink Lipinia noctua, moth skink, Western Samoa.

Oligosoma fallai Falla's skink Oligosoma fallai Falla's skink (New Zealand endemic from the Three Kings Islands) Oligosoma fallai Falla's skink (captive) Oligosoma fallai Falla's skink vertical (captive) Oligosoma fallai Falla's skink (captive) Oligosoma infrapunctatum speckled skink Oligosoma infrapunctatum speckled skink, New Zealand endemic (captive) Oligosoma infrapunctatum speckled skink, New Zealand endemic (captive) lateral. Oligosoma infrapunctatum speckled skink (captive). Oligosoma lineoocellatum Spotted skink Oligosoma lineoocellatum spotted skink. Captive. Orana Park, Christchurch. Oligosoma microlepis small scaled skink REP 9199 Oligosoma microlepis small-scaled skink, captive. REP 9200 Oligosoma microlepis, small-scaled skink, captive.

Oligosoma moco Moko skink Oligosoma moco Moko skink, captive. Oligosoma moco Moko skink, forequarters, captive. Oligosoma moco Moko skink, captive, vertical. Oligosoma moco Moko skink, captive, lateral. Oligosoma otagense Otago skink Oligosoma otagense Otago skink, dorsal (captive). Oligosoma otagense Otago skink, forequarters (captive). Oligosoma smithi Shore skink Oligosoma smithi Shore skink (captive). Oligosoma smithi Shore skink 2(captive). Oligosoma waimatense Scree skink REP 9211 Oligosoma waimatense Scree skink (captive). REP 9207 Oligosoma waimatense Scree skink (captive). REP 9209 Oligosoma waimatense Scree skink (captive). Tiliqua rugosa Shingleback lizard Tiliqua rugosa Shingleback lizard, Outback Australia.

Tiliqua rugosa Shingleback lizard, head detail. Captive, Fort Worth Zoo. Tiliqua rugosa Shingleback lizard. Tail detail, supposedly mimics head to fool predators. Captive, Fort Worth Zoo. Threat display Tiliqua rugosa, shingleback lizard, Australia. Threat display 2. Tiliqua rugosa, shingleback lizard, Australia. Tiliqua scincoides Blue-tongue skink Tiliqua scincoides Blue-tongue skink with tongue out. Captive. Tribolonotus gracilis crocodile skink Tribolonotus gracilis crocodile skink, captive, Fort Worth Zoo. Tribolonotus gracilis crocodile skink lateral, captive, Fort Worth Zoo. Tribolonotus gracilis crocodile skink head-on, captive, Fort Worth Zoo. Tribolonotus gracilis crocodile skink threequarters, captive, Fort Worth Zoo.

Skink - Animal Facts and Information Skink Posted by BioExpedition | May 9, 2012 | Lizards | Skink Facts and Information Introduction to Skink The Skink is a very diverse type of Lizard species with a huge number of sub species. There are more than 1,200 of them and that classifies them as the second largest group of Lizards in the world . Skink Description The body of the Skink is very interesting. Many feel that the long body part of it looks more like a snake than a Lizard. They have very small legs though and that is the main difference as snakes don’t have those. They also have a head that is slightly off the ground and pointed upwards where a snake has one that just lies on the ground. Class Family Scincidae They have a very long and tapered tail. It can be shed during various parts of its life and then it will grow back again. When the tail is gone that is one more reason why they are often mistaken for snakes. They can range in length from just a couple of centimeters to several feet. It depends on the location where they live and also the sub species.

Skink Distribution The distribution for the Skink is huge due to there being so many different sub species. They are found in the mountains, the savannahs, in the desert, and even in the grasslands . They can be hard to find though as they tend to blend in very well in the trees and when they burrow you won’t be able to find them at all. They are often killed when they are seen though because the people around the area think they are seeing a snake. They aren’t going to get close enough to it to find out for sure. In many cultures the Skink is consider evil due to the resemblance it has to the snake so they don’t allow it to live even if they can tell the difference. Skink Behavior The Skink tends to spend a great deal of time in the trees. In fact, they will live their entire lives there if possible. They may go to the ground though if they are struggling to find shelter or food. However, there are also sub species that burrow for protection rather than spending their time in the trees. They tend to be very timid and they do well in captivity. There are many sub species of Skink that tend to be very common pets.

However, it is important to make sure that you have the right set up for it. This includes the habitat, temperature, and food to feed it. A qualified pet store can assist you with all the details. Ocellated Skink – Chalcides Ocellatus Skink Feeding The Skink mainly feeds on various types of insects. This may include beetles, crickets, caterpillar, and crickets. Sometimes they will feed on small rodents and even other species of smaller Lizards. It depends on their habitat and what other foods are available. Skink Reproduction Some species of the Skink carry the young in her body and then give birth to them. They are on their own from the second that they come out of her body. She shows no maternal instinct to them. They have to find food and shelter all on their own. Other species of this type of Lizard lay eggs. The mother will create a type of nest where the eggs can be warm and to try to keep them away from predators finding them. The next may have just a few eggs in it or up to 100. The incubation period may be a few weeks or a couple of months.

The mother will leave the nest as soon as all of the eggs are deposited into it. She won’t be around to help the young come out of the shells or to encourage their survival in any way. Lizard | San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants SPECIES: More than 4,675 ABOUT What is a lizard? Lizards are part of a group of animals known as reptiles. They are most closely related to snakes. In fact, some lizards, called sheltopusiks, look like snakes because they have no legs! Many lizards today resemble the ancient reptiles of the dinosaur era. Their ancestors appeared on Earth over 200 million years ago. In general, lizards have a small head, short neck, and long body and tail. Unlike snakes, most lizards have moveable eyelids. There are currently over 4,675 lizard species, including iguanas, chameleons, geckos, Gila monsters, monitors, and skinks. Most lizards have eyelids, just like we do, that clean and protect their eyes when they blink. But some lizards, like geckos, can’t blink!

Instead, they have a clear membrane that shields their eyes from dirt or bright sun and use their tongue to clean their eyes. Many lizards, such as iguanas, can see in color. Their colorful body parts allow them to communicate with each other and help them tell which are male and which are female. Lizards smell stuff with their tongues! Just like snakes, a lizard sticks out its tongue to catch scent particles in the air and then pulls back its tongue and places those particles on the roof of its mouth, where there are special sensory cells. The lizard can use these scent “clues” to find food or a mate or to detect enemies. Lizards don’t have earflaps like mammals do. Instead, they have visible ear openings to catch sound, and their eardrums are just below the surface of their skin. Even so, lizards can’t hear as well as we do, but their hearing is better than that of snakes. Lizards have dry, scaly skin that does not grow with their bodies. Instead, most lizards shed, or molt, their old skin in large flakes to make way for the new skin growth underneath.

The exception to this is with the alligator lizard, which may shed its skin in one piece, like a snake. The scales on lizards vary, depending on their habitat. Skinks have smooth scales so mud won’t cling to them; some lizard species have bony plates, called osteoderms, under their scales for added protection against rough terrain. Lizards are popular prey for many types of predators, from birds of prey to snakes and carnivorous mammals. Their camouflage and ability to stay still for hours helps keep them safe. Several types of lizards are able to escape from an enemy’s grasp by breaking off part of their own tail. The tail has a weak spot just for this purpose. If a predator grabs the lizard by its tail, the tail easily comes off. It can grow back over time, although the tail won’t look quite the same. Still, it’s better than being someone else’s dinner! Other lizards have different ways to stay safe. Horned lizards are able to squirt blood from tiny blood vessels in their eyes to scare away or confuse a predator. The armadillo lizard has sharp, spiky scales and can roll up into a tight ball to protect its soft belly from attack.

The sungazer lizard has impressive spikes that cover its body, including the tail. The alligator lizard bites, thrashes about to get loose, or voids foul-smelling feces. The tropical girdled lizard darts into a crack, expands its body, and lodges itself in so tightly that a predator can’t remove it. The shingle-backed skink is the reptile equivalent of Dr. Doolittle’s two-headed llama, the “push-me-pull-you” with its fat, wide tail that resembles the head. If confronted by a predator, the skink bends its body into a C shape, which confuses the predator because it appears as if the skink has two heads. The Australian frilled lizard has a “frill” of loose skin around its neck that can stick out when the lizard is frightened. This makes the lizard look much bigger than it really is, and a predator may decide to look for something smaller to eat. If that doesn’t work, the lizard runs away on its hind feet! HABITAT AND DIET Lizards can be found in every continent except Antarctica, and they live in all habitats except extremely cold areas and deep oceans.

Most lizards live on the ground, but others can be found making their home in a tree, in a burrow, or in the water. Tree dwellers have special toes: long with sharp claws or short and wide. They often have a prehensile tail for grasping thin branches. Those that live in a burrow tend to have smaller legs, or none at all, to help them move underground more easily. Marine iguanas spend much of their lives underwater, although they come to shore to rest on rocks or a sandy beach. Desert dwellers, like the ground gecko, usually sleep during the day underneath the warm sand and then come out when the sun has gone down. Different lizard species eat different types of food. Some are predators, eating mammals, birds, and other reptiles. Others are mainly vegetarian, eating leaves, fruits, and flowers. Two are venomous: the Gila monster and the Mexican beaded lizard. Their venom comes from saliva glands in the jaw, and the lizards chew it into the victim. Caiman lizards are adept at eating snails and other shelled animals.

Upon seizing a snail, the lizard raises its head and relaxes its grip, causing the snail to roll to the back of its mouth. It then bites down with flattened, molar-like teeth and cracks the shell. By alternating bites and rotating the snail with the tongue, the lizard completely removes the shell and pushes the pieces out of the mouth. Most lizards are insect eaters, grabbing crickets, flies, grasshoppers, and more with long, sticky tongues or quick bites. At the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, our lizards are fed a variety of insects, worms, and meat products as well as fruits and vegetables, depending upon each species’ preference. FAMILY LIFE Male lizards use a variety of methods to attract a female’s attention. They bob their head vigorously or display their brightest colors or best features. The green anole lizard inflates a rust-colored throat sack, called a dewlap, to win over the lady of his choice, sometimes keeping up this display for hours. Red-headed agamas are African lizards with brown skin. But when the male needs to make sure others see him, his head turns fiery red and his body and tail change to a bright, shiny blue.

Other males may fight with each other until the weaker one gives up. Most female lizards lay soft, leathery eggs and then call it a day—they don’t stick around to protect the eggs from harm or keep them warm. Fortunately, the newly hatched lizards are able to take care of themselves right away, without the mother’s help. Of course, there are exceptions to soft eggs and lack of care in the lizard world! The tokay gecko lays soft eggs that harden in the dry air and stick to the surface on which they were laid. The sandstone gecko lays eggs in rocky crevices, so these eggs have a tough cover. The Nile monitor lizard lays her eggs in termite mounds. The heat from the termites in the mound helps incubate the eggs. Some skink mothers return to the nest to warm their eggs, and some female skinks give birth to live young. No matter what the circumstances of their start in life, baby lizards look like tiny versions of their parents.

AT THE ZOO The San Diego Zoo has had a variety of lizards for our guests to admire since our earliest days, when our collection included Gila monsters, iguanas, European legless lizards (sheltopusiks), and monitor lizards. Many of the exotic lizards we acquired in those early years were obtained by trading local specimens. Oftentimes members of the military brought animals to the Zoo during their trips abroad. In 1930, we were thrilled to receive a shipment of six “beautiful iguanas, by far the handsomest and largest specimens of this creature that the Zoo has ever had” from a lieutenant in the Marine Corps. An Australian water dragon was the first lizard to make the cover of our member magazine, ZOONOOZ, back in 1931. Several of our iguanas appeared in movies in the 1930s, making the jungle scenes in two Tarzan pictures and Treasure Island look tropical and dangerous.

Today, the Zoo is home to an amazing assortment of lizards, including red-headed and blue-headed agamas, bearded dragons, scheltopusiks, geckos, Gila monsters, skinks, caiman lizards, and Komodo dragons. We have had several breeding successes over the years, including the first captive hatching of Gila monster eggs in 1963, the first North American births of New Caledonian live-bearing geckos and emperor flat lizards in 2000, and the first successful breeding of Anegada Island iguanas in 2001. Also in 2000, the Zoo hatched our first-ever green tree monitor—and we have consistently hatched over 30 since then, making it the most successful green tree monitor program in the US. A satanic leaf-tailed gecko made the local news in January 2011 as the first official San Diego Zoo baby of 2011. The hatchling was also notable because we are one of only two zoos to breed this unusual species. Gecko breeding takes place behind the scenes in one of the reptile buildings.

Keepers watch the behavior of the female as a clue to when eggs might be found. The eggs are placed in a plastic container of moist vermiculite and kept in the gecko’s enclosure to keep an eye on them. The Zoo's Reptile Walk features lizard species native to Southern California: the Panamint alligator lizard and giant horned lizard. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is home to a Nile monitor in our Animal Care Center. Named Obedass, this adult weighs nearly 40 pounds (18 kilograms). With his good looks and impressive size, he causes quite a stir among our guests! Obedass arrived at the Safari Park in 2004 from a zoo in Illinois. His diet consists of mice, crawfish, and meat “sausages” made for zoo carnivores. A humidifier in his enclosure keeps Obedass’ skin in good condition, and he has special heating and lighting to keep him comfortable. In the Park’s Hidden Jungle crevasse, you’ll find the Mali uromastyx, banded velvet gecko, and giant leaf-tailed gecko. CONSERVATION Staff at San Diego Zoo Global’s state-of-the-art Kenneth C. and Anne D.

Griffin Reptile Conservation Center have succeeded in breeding the most critically endangered iguanas in the world, the Caribbean rock iguanas. We have been involved with Caribbean iguana conservation and recovery programs for almost two decades, establishing captive breeding facilities for five of the most endangered species on their respective home islands. To date, more than 700 Caribbean iguanas have been raised in these facilities and released. An initiative is underway to establish a large, centralized, multi-species facility for endangered iguanas on Puerto Rico. Closer to home, and in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey, we have been monitoring the biological diversity of the Biodiversity Reserve at the Safari Park since 2002. This monitoring project provides significant insights into the population ecology of the native species living in the Reserve, including an abundance of native lizard species including whiptails, side-blotch lizards, western fence lizards, granite spiny lizards, western skinks, and Gilbert’s skinks. It is amazing how many lizard species are native to our own backyard here in Southern California! What can you do to help lizards in Southern California? Be water wise!

Over watering our yards in San Diego attracts nonnative Argentine ants, which then displace the native southern California ants, which then causes the now-endangered San Diego horned lizard to starve! Sounds Skink Facts Skink Facts Skink Facts Skinks are the second largest group of lizards (geckos are the largest group) in the world. They can be found all around the globe except in the boreal and polar regions. There are 1200 species of skinks described so far. They can be found in different type of habitats: grasslands, forests, mountains, savannas, deserts and urban areas. Various species of skinks can be part of regular fauna in the gardens. Certain species of skinks are popular as pets. Some skinks, such as androgynous skink, are listed as endangered. Interesting Skink Facts: Size of skink depends on the species. Smaller species are usually 3 inches long, while large species can reach 14 inches in length. Skinks are often confused with snakes, because they have very short neck, small legs and snake-like body motion. Color of the skink body resembles the color of their environment.

They can easily blend in the environment and hide from the predators if they remain motionless. Due to small size, skinks have a lot of natural enemies. Main predators of skinks are: cats, dogs, foxes, raccoons, snakes, large lizards, birds of prey… Skinks can survive in different climates by living various lifestyles. Most species are arboreal (spend their life in trees), some of them are terrestrial (spend their life on the ground) or aquatic (spend their life near or in the water). Since they are cold-blooded animals, skinks enjoy basking on the rocks during the day. Most skinks are diurnal (active during the day) animals. They feed mostly on insects such as cockroaches, caterpillars, beetles, grasshoppers. Larger species of skinks will hunt smaller rodents, snails, slugs and other lizards. Plants (in smaller percent) are also part of their normal diet. Because of their insect-oriented diet, most people consider that skinks are valuable lizards that clean gardens from pests. Skinks do not have to eat every day, but when the food is available - they will not skip a chance to fill their bellies.

Certain skinks have green blood. Unique color of the blood is result of accumulation of the green, bile pigment called biliverdin. Just like most lizards, skinks are able to detach their tail in the case of danger. Tail will re-grow until it reaches its previous size. This process can take long period of time and it requires a lot of energy. Skinks are territorial animals that will guard their nests by standing in front of them. Certain species of skinks give birth to live babies while others lay eggs. Egg-laying species usually have between 10 and 30 eggs. Hatching period lasts around one month. Skinks do not show parental care. Young skinks are left on their own from the moment they are born or hatch. Depending on the species, average lifespan of skink can vary from 5 to 20 years. Related Links: Types of Lizards - Animal Facts and Information Types of Lizards Types of Lizards – Species There are 5,600 species of lizards that remain on the Earth today. Lizards and snakes are related but are distinguished by their skins and legs. The Thorny Devil is a species of Lizard that has very thick horns all over it.

This is often seen as an evil type of Lizard in many cultures due to the physical appearance of it. Oakland Zoo SPECIES: scincoides intermedia DESCRIPTION: A large lizard (17-24 inches in length) with a long body, large head and small legs with delicate toes. The tail is shorter than the body and generally tapers to a point. Color consists of a pattern of dark brown bars on a light brown or cream background; orange bars alternate with brown on the sides. They have a faint eye stripe and a cobalt-blue tongue. Scales are shiny, overlapping, and contain small plates of bone. Eardrums are sunken into cavities on sides of head. Skin is shed in pieces. GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE AND HABITAT: Blue-tongued skinks live principally in open country with lots of ground cover such as tussocky grasses or leaf litter. The Northern Blue Tongue lives in tropical/savannah woodland in the northern part of West Australia. DIET: Omnivorous, eating a variety of insects, snails, carrion, flowers and fruits. They are not very agil and the animals they eat are mostly slow moving.

Their teeth are large and they have very strong jaw muscles so they can crush snails and beetles. LIFE CYCLE/SOCIAL STRUCTURE: Diurnal and secretive. Shelters at night in hollow logs, ground debris, rocks, etc. They bask in the morning to raise their body temperature and maintain a temperature of about 30-35 degrees C. when active. During cold weather they remain buried deep in their shelter. Mating takes place in the spring. Gestation takes four months and 5-20 young are born live. Eggs do not develop a typical shell, and membranes enclosing the embryo interfold with the wall of the mother's oviduct to create a type of placenta, which helps to supply water and oxygen to the developing embryo. The young look after themselves right after birth and disperse within a few days. Life span in captivity is 18-20 years. SPECIAL ADAPTATIONS: Can shed its tail to escape predators. Has a moveable and transparent lower eyelid to protect its eyes from dust and still see. Ingests small stones to help digest its food.

INTERPRETIVE INFORMATION: With around 800 species the skinks constitute one of the largest saurian families. Blue-tongues are the largest members of the skink family. Skinks offer a vivid demonstration of a gradual transition from lizards with four strong legs to the legless lizard (a progress from the original mode of life above ground to the specialized life of the subterranean burrower: longer trunk, smaller limbs, reduced fingers and toes, and protected sense organs, i.e. ears and eyes.). When threatened, this lizard may stand its ground, puff up, hiss, and stick out its blue tongue (which contrasts sharply with its pink mouth) to startle a predator. OUR ANIMALS: 2 blue tongued skink are used in our Zoomobile and Education programs. They are not viewable by the public. STATUS IN WILD: Not endangered. Predators include the Tasmanian Devil, native cat, dingoes, kookaburras, other carnivores. They adapt well to suburban gardens and are welcome since they keep down snails and plant-eating insects, but they fall prey to suburban cats and dogs as well as garden chemicals and lawn mowers.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Blue-tongued Lizards. Australian Museum Online. Blue-Tongued Skink. Fact sheet. Binder Park Zoo. Card, Winston. 1994, /"Blotched Blue-Tongued Skink/", Vivarium, Vol. 6, No. 3. Grzimek, Bernhard. 1984. Grzimek Pet Supplies Plus : Skinks * If temp falls below 70℉ at night, may need supplemental infrared or ceramic heat. CAGE HUMIDITY: 65-70 % WILD HISTORY: These skinks are from Northwest Africa; east to western Asia. They can be found in open woodland areas, Mediterranean scrublands, rock crevices, cultivated fields, farms, gardens and towns. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Skinks are smooth bodied lizards with sleek scales, long pointed tails, short chubby legs and flat stubby feet. Skinks do not seem to have true necks, as their heads flow gracefully into the body. Skinks have short snouts and small eyes. Most skinks are attractively colored with a main body color speckled and/or striped with complementary colors along the length of the body.

NORMAL BEHAVIOR & INTERACTION: Skinks are calm, gregarious and usually non-aggressive; very curious and like to explore in and out of cage. NOTE: DO NOT house skinks with other species due to the differences in care, temperatures, and the fact that some species can be highly stressed in the presence of other species. Housing male skinks together will create a dominant/submissive hierarchy and will result in one skink becoming stressed to the point of illness, anorexia, and possibly death. Male skinks also tend to be extremely aggressive toward one another and will fight, often to the death of one. Female skinks may be housed together IF there is ample space and food for each lizard. Males and females - one male skink may be housed with several female skinks IF there is ample space and food for each lizard. FEEDING: Carnivores; live prey. Protein sources such as: gut-loaded crickets, mealworms, butterworms, silkworms, superworms and wax worms dusted with a supplement should make up the skink diet. LIGHTNING BUGS MUST NEVER BE FED. THEY ARE POISONOUS.

Wild caught insects should never be fed, since they can carry disease. All insects should be gut loaded (fed a nutritious diet about 24-hours before being offered to your lizard - see our cricket care sheet). Be careful to feed the proper size prey for your skink’s size. A good rule of thumb is that a cricket should be never be larger than the distance between the lizard's eyes, or the distance from its eyes to its nose. When feeding larger insects to your pet, try to make sure the insects have recently molted, as an insect with a large, hard exoskeleton is difficult to digest and may cause impactions. Feed as many insects as your lizard will eat in 3-5 minutes. Uneaten insects should be removed from the cage. Some lizard owners find it easier to feed their pet in a separate enclosure, free of bedding and furniture, this way you can be sure your lizard eats all its insects, the prey cannot hide and the lizard will not pick up any bedding when grabbing prey and mistakenly ingest it along with the prey. SHEDDING: Unlike snakes, lizards shed their skin in patches, not all in one piece.

Your pet will become an overall dull color, and the skin over the eyelids may ‘pop’ at a certain point and make your lizard look like a bug-eyed bullfrog. Do not peel off the skin if it is not ready to come off. This can be dangerous and painful. Most lizard species will shed every 4-6 weeks. If the enclosure environment is ideal, the keeper often has no idea that their pet has shed, as it will happen more quickly and the lizard will often eat its own shed skin. In the wild, reptiles have a much easier time with their sheds, as they are generally in a more naturally humid environment and have access to pools or bodies of water in which they can soak at will. Even reptiles from arid areas find humid places to go during the shedding process, such as cold, moist burrows under the sand or caves. The shedding process happens when the lizard’s body begins to grow a new layer of skin; that new layer begins to separate from the old and a very thin layer of fluid forms between the two layers. If your pet’s enclosure is too dry, this fluid layer will not form properly, making it difficult for your reptile to shed properly.

To create more humidity, the entire tank can be lightly spray misted twice a day during shedding time. Spray once in the morning and once later in the day. Make sure the later spray dries completely before lights go off for the night. Some lizards may also benefit from a ‘moist box’ during shedding time. This can be a Tupperware-like container (with the cover on) containing a bed of moist reptile terrarium moss. The container should be big enough for the entire lizard to be inside with an entry door cut in the side just large enough for the lizard to come and go at will. Keep the moss moist but not watery, and place the box on the heating pad in the tank. If your lizard still has a hard time getting the shed completely off its toes, tail or head; help him by spraying the area with water and gently massaging the skin until it peels off. If the retained shed is severe and cannot be removed easily, see your exotic veterinarian. SUPPLEMENTS: Dust food with calcium supplement and vitamin supplements. As a rule, a growing juvenile's food (and a pregnant/gravid female’s) should be dusted more often than an adult's.

Follow your veterinarian’s instructions for applying supplements to avoid over-supplementing food. Our veterinarian recommends dusting insects with a good quality calcium supplement fortified with vitamin D3, 2-3 times a week. (Avoid using a calcium supplement with added phosphorous, unless specifically directed by your veterinarian, since this can promote kidney disease.) Always consult your veterinarian for specific directions on supplementing your pet’s food, since there are many variables that go into determining the best supplementation regimen for each animal. WATER: A large bowl of clean fresh chlorine-free water must always be available. Place it on the cool side of your reptile’s enclosure. Change it daily, or as needed, as your pet will most likely bathe in it as well. Lizards will often defecate in their water bowl, as the water seems to have a laxative effect on reptiles! All water given to reptiles for drinking, as well as water used for misting, soaking or bathing must be 100% free of chlorine and heavy metals. (Not all home water filtration systems remove 100% of the chlorine and heavy metals from tap water). We recommend that you use unflavored bottled drinking water or bottled natural spring water; never untreated tap water.

If tap water is used, you should treat it with a de-chlorinating treatment. De-chlorinator is available in the pet store fish department. If you do not want to chemically de-chlorinate the water, you can leave an open container of tap water out for at least 24 hours. Do not use distilled water, which can cause severe medical problems, since it lacks minerals that are essential to important body functions. If only tap water can be used, at least de-chlorinate the water. A daily misting or two with chlorine-free water will also be appreciated. However, care should be taken not to allow the enclosure to become damp. Also, do not mist less than two hours before turning the heat lamps off for the day. SOAKING: Lizards can benefit greatly from a good deep-water soak at least once a week. A Tupperware container makes a good reptile bathtub. Fill the container deep enough so the entire lizard’s body can be submerged under water, but the head can be out of water. The water should be nice and warm (about 68-70 degrees). Soak your lizard for about a half hour at a time.

This is especially helpful during a bad shed or when your lizard might be a bit constipated. RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES: Coconut fiber bedding or shredded aspen bedding. Large water bowl - big enough to soak in. UVB bulb and housing HOUSING & ENVIRONMENT: Reptiles are ectothermic, or cold-blooded, which means they are dependent on the temperature of their immediate environment to regulate their body temperature. Therefore, we must create an environment with several heat gradients - warm on one end and cool on the other. With this set-up, your pet can go to either end depending on whether he needs to be warmer or cooler. ENCLOSURE SIZE: The enclosure should be a solid glass sided tank long enough to create the two separate temperature gradients (warm and cool); a skink tank should be at least 20 gallons or larger for an adult. IT IS NOT TRUE THAT A REPTILE WILL ONLY GROW AS LARGE AS ITS ENCLOSURE!! COVER: Make sure the cage has an escape-proof metal mesh top. It should fit snuggly onto the tank and have strong clips locking it on. It is important that the top is METAL mesh, as you will place the heat lamp directly on top of this cover.

HEAT PAD: Reptile heat pads can be adhered directly onto the underside of the glass bottom of the tank. Stick it on the glass on one of the very far ends of the tank. For safety reasons, make sure to attach the rubber feet (contained in the box) at all four corners of the underside of the tank. This will allow air to circulate underneath the tank and prevent the heat from being trapped under the tank. DO NOT use reptile heat rocks. They heat unevenly and have caused severe thermal burns in reptiles. Heat pads specifically manufactured for reptiles are safe for pets to be in contact with and are safe to leave on 24 hours a day. HEAT LAMP: Place the heat dome with the basking bulb on top of the cage directly over where the reptile heat pad has been placed on the underside of one end of the tank. Follow directions carefully with all products - READ THE INSTRUCTION SHEET!! Always choose fixtures with ceramic sockets and be careful to choose the socket that is properly rated for the wattage bulb that you will be using. Do not place the fixtures by dry wood or flammable fabrics. All heaters should be placed out of the reach of children and all pets - including cats and dogs.

Be very careful to make sure that your caged pet cannot reach and touch the heating device in its own cage. A thermal burn to the face or body can be painful and life threatening. UVB LIGHT: Exposure to UVB (ultraviolet B) light is critical in allowing an animal to synthesize vitamin D3 in their skin and metabolize calcium in their body. If an animal is not exposed to an adequate level of UVB light, it will gradually develop physical problems from the result of mineral deficiencies such as low blood calcium (hypocalcaemia), soft eggs (females), stunted growth and metabolic bone disorder, which can be fatal if left untreated. In addition, recent studies have linked sub-optimal vitamin D levels with poor immune system function. All day-active (diurnal) indoor reptiles, amphibians, birds and hermit crabs should be allowed self-selected exposure to UVB lighting for up to 8-12 hours a day. This means they should be able to bask in the light but also get away if desired, much as they might in the wild.

Many twilight-active (crepuscular) and night-active (nocturnal) species do get some exposure to the sun and may also benefit from low levels of UVB, which helps regulate their photoperiod and vitamin D levels as well. Please see our additional “UVB Lighting for Companion Birds and Reptiles” for specific instructions for your particular pet and the UVB bulb that we recommend for him or her. HIDE HOUSE: Place a hide house inside the cage directly over where you have positioned the heat pad, and directly under the heat lamp above. WATER BOWL: The large water crock can be placed on the opposite end of the cage, along with another hide house, if desired. SUBSTRATE: We recommend a loose coconut fiber substrate, available in the reptile department and made by several companies. It is made from the husks of coconuts. This substrate is ideal for skinks, as it will help hold humidity in. Keep the substrate slightly damp, but not watery. Placing large, smooth pebbles over the surface of the bedding will prevent the skink from picking up and consuming the coconut fiber when hunting prey. A shredded aspen bedding can also be used.

It will not cause impactions in the lizard if it is ingested by mistake and it is easy to clean - daily spot cleaning becomes easy by just removing the soiled portion of aspen. Newspaper, paper towels can also be used. If “reptile carpeting” is used, it MUST be kept extremely clean. The carpeting can foster the growth of bacteria and fungus, which can in turn be very dangerous to your pet. If you insist on using the carpet, purchase two so you can interchange them regularly. BRANCHES & PLANTS: Skinks do not generally climb, branches and plants are not necessary, but can be included for decoration. TEMPERATURES: Cage temperatures should be monitored daily and kept at the temperatures listed at the top of this page. Use your reptile thermometer to check the temperatures in different places in the cage regularly to make sure they continually match the listed proper temperatures. * If the room temperature falls below 7o degrees at night, a supplemental infrared or ceramic heat fixture may be necessary.

(These fixtures do not emit a light spectrum that is visible to the skink, so it will not disturb him at night, but they WILL provide the necessary supplemental heat.) If your lizard does not receive the proper heat at the proper temperatures, he may become sick with issues such as respiratory disease and may stop eating, as skinks have a hard time digesting their food without proper heat. DAY/NIGHT LIGHT CYCLES AND HEATING: All reptiles must have distinct day and night periods in their enclosure to maintain their biological rhythms. Skinks need 8-12 hours of daytime and 8-12 hours of nighttime. However, as the daylight hours change seasonally outside, daylight hours inside the tank should reflect the same. The day period must be light, and the night period must be dark. A timer should be used to set day/night periods. HABITAT MAINTENANCE: Daily maintenance should consist of spot cleaning by removing soiled substrate, cleaning water bowl thoroughly and wiping glass clean.

The entire tank should be cleaned thoroughly at least once every month with: A mild dishwashing liquid (a weak dilution) in warm water, THEN Vinegar & water (1:8) OR bleach and warm water (1:32) Cage “furniture” should also be scrubbed clean with the same dilution. RINSE OFF ALL SOAP AND BLEACH THOROUGHLY WITH PLAIN WATER BEFORE RE-INTRODUCING YOUR PET TO ITS ENCLOSURE!! NEVER MIX VINEGAR AND BLEACH - IT CREATES A TOXIC SOLUTION GROOMING & HYGIENE: To reduce the risk of contracting and spreading salmonella poisoning, all handlers should wash their hands after handling any reptile. SIGNS OF A HEALTHY ANIMAL: smooth, even body; no traces of mites (small, reddish brown spots around nostrils, near ears and eyes); clear eyes, rounded, full body; strong, even, smooth jaw line; bright eyes; fat, rounded tail, regular record of healthy feeding and defecating schedule. It is very important to keep a journal for each animal that records feeding, refusing, defecation, shedding, unusual behavior, changes in behavior and dates of bulb changes.

This will help your veterinarian trouble-shoot any health issues. We recommend physical exams every year or two years with an exotic pet veterinarian for pet reptiles and amphibians. If your vet sees your pet regularly, many common conditions that afflict pet reptiles and amphibians can be caught and treated early. If not caught early enough or if left untreated, many of these conditions can become far worse if not fatal. SIGNS OF ILLNESS: Irregular scales; small reddish brown spots (mites) around mouth, eye area, ear area; irregular jaw line, ‘dents’ in mouth with (or without) cottage cheese-like material (mouth rot); cloudy eyes or dull colored body when not in a shed; thinned body; irregular feeding and defecating habits. Limp, thin body, lethargy, sunken eyes, pinkish patches or spots on belly or sides; obvious bite marks or wounds from cage mate or prey. Red, fluid filled patches may indicate thermal burns. SOME COMMON PROBLEMS INCLUDE: GI parasites i.e.: flagellates, motile protozoa Loss of appetite, weight loss, abnormal stools See an EXOTIC vet for analysis of specific parasite and medicinal treatment.

Shedding problems - loss of toes as shed skin gets constricted around toes Random pieces of shed stuck to body, usually tail, face & toes See an EXOTIC vet for treatment of current problem. Optimize enclosure heat and humidity. Calcium imbalances, Metabolic Bone Disease Failure to grow, fractures easily, tremors, lethargy See supplement section above and separate gut-loading sheet. See an EXOTIC vet for treatment and support for current issues. Trauma Outward signs of biting, tearing, stress, aggression Adjust enclosure occupants. Avoid caging males together, overcrowding, mixed species. Always the possibility of just clashing personalities. ©2012 Dawn M. Trainor-Scalise Courtesy of: Specialized Care for Avian & Exotic Pets In conjunction with Pet Supplies “Plus” 10882 Main Street, Clarence, NY 14031 Lizard (Lacertilia) - Animals - A-Z Animals - Animal Facts, Information, Pictures, Videos, Resources and Links Listen Lizard is a collective name for the different species of lizard that are found in the warmer climates around the world.

The lizard is a reptile with scaly skin, and some species of lizard can shed their tails when the are in danger, but not all species of lizard are capable of doing this. There are around 5,000 different species of lizard ranging from small lizards that are just a few centimeters in size, to much larger and more predatory lizards that measure a few meters from the head of the lizard to the tip of their tail. Most species of lizard are either good climbers, or failing that good at sprinting which enables all the different species of lizard to escape danger in a flash. Some species of lizard are said to be so good at anchoring themselves into solid material and it has been known that criminals breaking into houses, are able to use the lizard almost like a ladder, and therefore are able to climb up the lizard into the house. Lizards are reptiles which means that lizards are cold blooded. Lizards tend to be more active during the night as lizards spend the day basking in the hot sun in order to warm themselves up. Lizards are therefore able to recharge their batteries during the day and can hunt with success at night.

For most species of lizard, sight is crucial both for locating prey and for communication between other lizards. Due to their extremely tuned eyesight, many species of lizard have highly acute color vision. When communicating most lizards rely heavily on body language as lizards use specific postures, gestures and movements to define their territory, resolve any disputes, and entice mates. Most species of lizard are harmless to humans with the main (and obvious) exception of the komodo dragon , which is the largest species of lizard in the world. Komodo dragons have been known to stalk, attack and kill humans that get in their way, primarily aided by the vast size of the komodo dragon . Some species of lizard have a venomous bite but none of these venomous species of lizard is toxic enough to really harm a human . Generally, if bitten by a venomous lizard, humans will receive a nasty and painful bite, which is normally caused by the strong jaws and bite of the lizard rather than the small amount of venom contained in it. Lizards lay eggs in which baby lizards have from a few months later.

Some species of lizard, such as the slow worm, appears to give birth to live young but this is not technically the case as the female lizard incubates the eggs in her body until they hatch rather than incubating them outside of the body like other species of lizard. Lizard Comments Green Basilisk Lizards, Green Basilisk Lizard Pictures, Green Basilisk Lizard Facts - National Geographic Size relative to a 6-ft (2-m) man Please add a "relative" entry to your dictionary. The green basilisk lizard is also called a plumed or double-crested basilisk; but its amazing ability to run on water gives this species its most recognizable moniker: the Jesus Christ lizard. Abundant in the tropical rain forests of Central America, from southern Mexico to Panama, green basilisks spend much of their time in the trees and are never far from a body of water. When threatened, they can drop from a tree into the water and sprint, upright, about 5 feet (1.5 meters) per second across the surface. To accomplish this, they have long toes on their rear feet with fringes of skin that unfurl in the water, increasing surface area.

As they rapidly churn their legs, they slap their splayed feet hard against the water, creating a tiny air pocket that keeps them from sinking, provided they maintain their speed. They can move along the surface like this for 15 feet (4.5 meters) or more. When gravity eventually does take over, the basilisk resorts to its excellent swimming skills to continue its flight. Part of the iguana family, green basilisks grow to about 2 feet (61 centimeters) in length, including their long, whip-like tail. Males have distinctive, high crests on their heads and backs, which they use to impress females. Pregnant females prepare a shallow trench where they lay up to 20 eggs. The mother then leaves the eggs to hatch on their own. Hatchlings are born with the ability to run (on land and water), climb, and swim. Green basilisks are omnivores, surviving on a diet of plant material, insects, fruit, and small vertebrates. They are common throughout their range and have no special status, but abundant natural predators like snakes and birds keep these amazing lizards on their toes.

Question: What type of animal is a skink?
Answer: Lizard